Tori Removal in San Jose, CA
 Tori removal is a minor outpatient surgery performed at our San Jose, CA office to take out benign bony growths from the roof of the mouth or along the lower jaw.
Most patients come in because they recently noticed a hard lump, because the growth is interfering with a denture, or because a general dentist flagged it during a routine exam and referred them to an oral surgeon.
The first thing worth saying: tori are benign. They are not cancer, not a tumor, and not a sign of any underlying disease. Whether they need to be removed is a separate question, and for many patients the answer is no. This page covers what tori are, when removal makes sense, and what to expect if you and your surgeon decide to move forward. Tori removal is one of the dentoalveolar procedures performed at South Valley Oral and Facial Surgery and falls under our broader dentoalveolar surgery services. We see patients in San Jose, Gilroy, and Los Banos.
On This Page
What Are Tori?
 Tori (singular: torus) are extra bone growths that form in specific spots inside the mouth. The two most common locations are the roof of the mouth (called torus palatinus) and the inside of the lower jaw on either side of the tongue (called torus mandibularis, usually in pairs). Less commonly, tori form on the cheek-side of the upper jaw. They feel firm because they are bone, not soft tissue, and they grow slowly over years.
Tori are benign. They are not cancer, not pre-cancer, and not a sign of any systemic disease. Many patients are concerned the first time they notice one, particularly if it has appeared to grow recently. That concern is reasonable, and an exam is the right next step. We confirm the diagnosis clinically, sometimes with imaging, and rule out anything more serious. Our oral pathology team reviews any case where the appearance is atypical, but the vast majority of tori are obvious on examination.
Why Tori Form
The cause is not fully understood. Genetics plays a role (tori run in families and certain ethnic groups are more prone to them), as does chronic clenching or grinding, which seems to stimulate bone growth in these areas over time. They typically appear in adulthood, often becoming more noticeable in the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
Do Tori Need to Be Removed
Most do not. If a torus is not causing problems, leaving it alone is a reasonable choice. We do not recommend removal as a default. Removal is worth considering when the torus is interfering with daily life: a denture or partial that will not seat properly, an overlying gum tissue that keeps getting ulcerated, speech that has been affected, or in rare cases, persistent discomfort. Cosmetic concern is also a valid reason for some patients, though tori are not visible from the outside.
Your Oral Surgery Team in San Jose
Tori removal is a routine dentoalveolar procedure that both of our oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform. Dr. Joseph McMurray is board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and has been practicing for more than 35 years. His Navy service included 11 years as fleet oral surgeon, and his Gilroy office has been open since 1997.
Dr. Arian Chehrehsa is dual board-certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Anesthesiology. His anesthesia training is particularly useful for tori cases when the work involves larger or bilateral mandibular tori, where some patients prefer IV sedation over local anesthesia alone.
Tori removal is not technically demanding compared to other oral surgery, but doing it well still matters. Smoothing the underlying bone after removal so there are no sharp edges, protecting nearby nerves on the lower jaw, and managing the overlying tissue cleanly all influence how comfortable your healing is.
The Tori Removal Process, Step by Step
Most patients want a clear picture of what the appointment looks like and how long recovery takes. Here is the general flow for a routine case.
1. Consultation
At your first visit, we examine the tori, confirm the diagnosis, and discuss whether removal is the right move for your situation. If you are being seen for denture or prosthesis fit issues, we coordinate with your referring dentist on what is needed. You leave with a written estimate and a clear plan.
2. The Procedure
Tori removal is outpatient surgery, typically done under local anesthesia. Patients who prefer to be more sedated can choose IV sedation. A single torus palatinus removal usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. Bilateral mandibular tori, which come in pairs, run 45 to 75 minutes. We make a small incision over the torus, remove the bony growth, smooth the underlying bone, and close with dissolvable sutures. You go home the same day.
3. Recovery
The first three to five days are the most noticeable phase. Mild swelling and soreness are normal, and you will eat soft foods. Most patients are back to normal eating within one to two weeks. Dissolvable sutures fall out on their own as the area heals. Complete healing of the gum tissue takes a few weeks, with the bone underneath continuing to remodel for longer than that.
4. Follow-Up
We see you for a post-op check at about one week and again at three to four weeks. If you are heading toward a denture or partial denture after the area is healed, we release you back to your referring dentist for fabrication once the tissue and bone are ready.
When Tori Removal Makes Sense
Tori removal is not a procedure we push. Many people live with tori their entire lives without issue, and that is fine. When removal is helpful, though, the benefits are concrete.
- Better Denture or Partial Fit – The most common reason for removal. Tori that catch the flange of a denture or sit where the prosthesis needs to seat create constant rocking and sore spots. Removing them lets the prosthesis sit flush.
- Less Tissue Ulceration – The thin gum tissue covering a torus can get repeatedly traumatized by hot or sharp food, ulcerating and healing in a frustrating cycle. Removing the underlying bone resolves it.
- Easier Speech – Large palatal tori sometimes interfere with tongue position during speech. Removal lets the tongue move more naturally.
- Cleaner Oral Hygiene – Tori, especially on the lower lingual surface, can make brushing and flossing difficult and trap food and plaque.
- Prep for a Future Prosthesis – If you are planning toward a pre-prosthetic surgical workup, dentures, or an implant-supported restoration, removing tori in the planning stage prevents fit problems later.
If you are heading toward a bar attachment denture or another implant-supported full-arch solution, tori in the way are best removed before the prosthesis is designed.
Why Choose South Valley for Tori Removal
Tori removal is a procedure where the experience of the surgeon matters more than the apparent complexity suggests. The procedure is straightforward in principle but has details that influence recovery: protecting the nerve that runs along the lower jaw lingual surface, smoothing the bone so there are no sharp edges underneath the gum, and closing the tissue with proper tension so it heals flat.
Both of our surgeons are board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons, which is the specialty trained specifically for procedures like this one. Dr. Chehrehsa is also board-certified in anesthesiology, so deeper sedation is available without sending you elsewhere. We use 3D cone beam imaging when bilateral mandibular tori are involved, because the proximity to nerve structures benefits from a precise pre-op picture. And our three offices in San Jose, Gilroy, and Los Banos make us accessible to patients across the region.
We also do not push removal. If you come in concerned about a torus that does not need to be removed, we will tell you so and not schedule an unnecessary surgery.
Cost and Insurance for Tori Removal
Cost matters. The cost of tori removal depends on how many tori are involved (single palatal versus bilateral mandibular), whether you choose local anesthesia alone or add IV sedation, and the overall complexity of the case. We give you a written estimate at the consultation before scheduling.
Insurance coverage varies. When tori removal is being done as preparation for a denture or partial, dental insurance often covers it as part of the prosthetic treatment plan. When removal is medically necessary (chronic ulceration, speech impairment, or other documented issues), medical insurance may apply. Our billing team verifies benefits before treatment. For more detail on how we work with insurance and financing, see our insurance and financial information page.
Third-party financing through CareCredit and similar programs is available for the patient-responsibility portion.
Schedule a Tori Removal Consultation in San Jose
If you have noticed a bony growth and want it evaluated, give us a call. We also see patients on referral from a dentist preparing them for a denture. Call 408-479-9449 or schedule online to request a consultation. Our San Jose office is at 5595 Winfield Blvd Suite 202. The San Jose office page has hours, directions, and details about your first visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tori cancer?
No. Tori are benign bone growths and have no relationship to oral cancer. They are bone, not soft tissue, and they do not turn malignant over time. The first appointment will include a clinical exam to confirm the diagnosis. If anything about the lesion looks atypical (which is rare with tori), we evaluate further with our oral pathology team, but the vast majority of cases are clear on examination.
Do I have to remove my tori?
No. If your tori are not causing problems, leaving them alone is a reasonable choice. Many people have tori for decades without issue. Removal is worth considering when the torus is interfering with a denture, causing repeated tissue ulceration, affecting speech, or in some cases for hygiene reasons. We do not recommend removal as a default.
Will tori removal hurt?
No, the procedure itself is not painful because the area is fully numbed. Afterward, expect mild soreness and swelling for three to five days, manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. Recovery is similar in feel to a tooth extraction. Patients who prefer to be asleep during the procedure can choose IV sedation.
How long is recovery from tori removal?
Most patients are back to soft-food eating within a few days and normal eating within one to two weeks. Complete healing of the gum tissue takes a few weeks, and the bone underneath continues to remodel for longer than that. Sutures are dissolvable and fall out on their own. We see you for a post-op check at about one week.
Will my tori grow back after removal?
Recurrence is uncommon but possible, especially in patients whose tori formed in response to chronic clenching or grinding. Managing the underlying clenching with a night guard or TMJ care reduces the chance of regrowth. When recurrence does happen, it is usually much smaller than the original and slow to develop.
Can I still wear my denture during recovery?
Not right away. The surgical site needs time to heal before the denture can rest against the area, and a denture pressing on a fresh incision will delay healing or open the wound. Most patients are without their denture for two to four weeks, then begin wearing it again as the tissue tolerates. If your removal was specifically to allow a new denture to fit, the fabrication happens after healing.
Does insurance cover tori removal?
Often, at least partially. When removal is being done as preparation for a prosthesis, dental insurance typically covers it as part of the prosthetic treatment plan. When removal is medically necessary, such as chronic ulceration or speech impairment, medical insurance may apply. Our billing team verifies benefits before treatment so you know what your plan will cover.
Why have my tori gotten bigger recently?
Tori grow slowly over years, often without the patient noticing until they reach a size that interferes with something or becomes noticeable to the tongue. Increased clenching or grinding can accelerate growth, which is one reason tori are more common in patients with TMJ-related habits. A torus that appears to be growing rapidly over weeks or months should be evaluated, since rapid growth is unusual for true tori and warrants a closer look. |
